Rivers excited about RB prospects

C.J. Spiller, Clemson | 5-feet-11, 196 pounds: Considered the class of the class, Spiller could go early (Buffalo at No. 9) and at worst is expected to not make it past Seattle at No. 14. Spiller can catch and run (1,212 rushing and 503 receiving yards as a senior) and is considered not just a speed back (4.27 in the 40-yard dash) as he has the ability to fight for yards.

Ryan Mathews, Fresno State | 6-0, 218: The trendy pick for the Chargers in mock drafts, Mathews wore No. 21 in college as homage to LT. Powerful inside and quick enough, Mathews led the nation with 150.7 yards a game (6.6 per carry). There is thought Houston will take him at No. 20.

Jahvid Best, Cal | 5-10, 199: Bothered by various injuries in college, Best seemingly improved his standing with a strong Combine. Best is best running outside and may be too similar to Darren Sproles for the Chargers to consider — though Best is a weapon and Sproles might not be here much longer.

Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech | 5-11, 229: This is the runner who would fit as a counter to Sproles. Described by scouts as deceptively fast, Dwyer pounds the ball inside as well as any runner in the draft. He gained 1,395 yards each of the past two seasons and did not miss a collegiate game due to injury. He should be available at 40.

Toby Gerhart, Stanford | 6-0, 231: The proverbial power runner but with some holes (five fumbles in ’09 and lack of elusiveness), he gained 1,871 yards in winning the Doak Walker award last season. Gerhart also played baseball for the Cardinal. Projected as a second-round pick but might fall to the third, though not likely to the Chargers at No. 91.

Ben Tate, Auburn | 5-11, 220: Maybe the best of the next group of backs (Montario Hardesty, Joe McKnight, Anthony Dixon), who might be good value in the third round. Tate played in a variety of offenses at Auburn and is best going through the middle and breaking tackles.

Philip Rivers is a college football nut.

He watches games on Saturdays when the Chargers are on the road, records games during the week to skip through after the kids are asleep, talks in the locker room about players and plays he sees.

So while the Chargers quarterback has no idea what A.J. Smith will do in the upcoming draft, Rivers figures he is virtually assured of getting a good running back to be his primary backfield mate.

“Just from being a college football fan, I know it’s a healthy running back class,” Rivers said. “It is fun to see a bunch of good (backs) out there and think about that one of them could be on your team next year.”

While Smith has vowed to find a No. 1 running back by “any means,” and there could be a trade coming that would fill the team’s need for a starter, it is highly likely that LaDainian Tomlinson’s replacement is going to come from one of the draft’s first two rounds.